Clamp Down

OPINION

Plans by Subaru to tweak the design of its Outback sedan point out the absurdity of current fuel-efficiency requirements for cars and so-called light trucks.

Subaru plans to make slight changes, such as raising the Outback's ground clearance by an inch and a half, so it will be classified as a light truck and no longer counted under higher fuel-efficiency requirements for cars. Then Subaru can sell more Outbacks with turbochargers, which lower efficiency and increase pollution.

Some in Congress want to subject more light trucks to the same fuel-efficiency standards as cars, but they failed to get such a provision included in the energy bill that passed the House last year and awaits a vote in the Senate.